The best area to stay in Tunis

Are you planning to visit or emigrate to Tunisia, near the ancient “Punic City” of Carthage? Here is where to stay in Tunisia!

Nestled in the Gulf of Tunis, behind the Lake of Tunis and the port of La Goulette, the city of Tunis extends along the coastal plain and the hills that surround it. The capital of Tunisia since 1159, the city experienced rapid development in the 20th century, reaching 638,845 inhabitants in 2014 within the city itself and a population of 2,643,695 in the Greater Tunis area. At its inception, Tunis was a Berber settlement. In fact, the existence of the town is attested by sources dating from the 4th century BC. Boasting a rich historical heritage, Tunis is ranked the fifth Arab city regarding the quality of life. Blessed with an ideal Mediterranean climate, the city is home to popular tourist sites such as Carthage, La Marsa, and Sidi Bou Saïd. You shouldn’t have trouble finding accommodation in Tunis: the city attracts many tourists and expatriates, and the accommodation offer is abundant.

Carthage, La Marsa, Sidi Bou Saïd, Mutuelleville, Belvedere, Notre-Dame, El Menzah, Gammarth are pleasant neighborhoods to stay in Tunis. Between the souks of the Medina, the Bardo National Museum, the Museum of National Memory, the National Military Museum, the Film Museum, the beautiful sandy beaches or the Roman ruins of Carthage, you will not be bored! Here is where to stay in Tunis.

The Medina

Photo credit: Flickr – Christopher Rose

The historic heart of Tunis, this 270-hectare shop-filled historic center is home to more than 100,000 people – 10% of the Tunisian population. The Medina of Tunis is listed as UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979. Founded in 698 around the Zitouna mosque, the Medina extends from north to south between the suburbs of Bab Souika and Bab El Jazira. Formerly the capital of a powerful kingdom during the Hafsid era, the area houses many monuments, offering an eyeful of architectural styles, including Ifriqiyan, Andalusian, Eastern, Roman and Byzantine influences. Though the quarter has few hotels, you will be in contact with local Tunisians. If you’re looking to stay in the Medina, the best solution is to book your private homestay accommodation for instance via Airbnb.

Find a hotel in the Medina
Find an Airbnb in the Medina

Mutuelleville and Berges du Lac

Photo credit: Wikimedia – Youssefbensaad

Located north of the Jardins du Belévdère, these two districts are popular residential areas, much appreciated by expatriates and travelers seeking peace and quiet. Both neighborhoods offer a central location to stay in Tunis: Berges du Lac is situated not far from the city center, only a few tramline stops from the lake of Tunis and its banks, and close to the picturesque port of La Goulette. Located on a hill, Mutuelleville is Tunis’ upper-class district, featuring numerous green spaces and embassies. Historically, French settlers inhabited the area, which still attracts many foreigners today.

Find a hotel in Mutuelleville
Find an Airbnb in Mutuelleville
Find a hotel in Berges du Lac
Find an Airbnb in Berges du Lac

The Northern suburbs

Photo credit: Flickr – El Primer Paso Blog

Discover the old villages swallowed into the metropolis of Greater Tunis: Gammarth, La Marsa, Carthage, and Sidi Bou Saïd. They are widely regarded as the best places to stay in Tunis. However, be careful, these are the city’s most expensive and touristy areas. Every year, hordes of tourists come to visit the famous Roman ruins of Carthage and Sidi Bou Said, a picturesque village home to blooming bougainvilleas and palm trees. Perched on its cornice, Sidi Bou Said overlooks the city of Carthage and the Gulf of Tunis. In one word: splendid. In the municipality of Carthage – populated by 17,000 inhabitants – there are few hotels, so it’s best to aim for local homestay accommodation and stay in comfortable villas, a stone’s throw from the cliffs overlooking the azure sea. Choose these villages where to stay in Tunis if you are not afraid of tourism and the soaring rates in the summer season (remember to bargain your way through!).

Find a hotel in Sidi Bou Saïd
Find an Airbnb in Sidi Bou Saïd
Find a hotel in Carthage
Find an Airbnb in Carthage
Find a hotel in La Marsa
Find an Airbnb in the La Marsa